Sorry for newbie question.. Just got the 2012 CX-9 Touring FWD and drove home from the dealer. On the drive home, I could smell like plastic burning at the stop lights, coming in the cabin thru the vents, the it would go away after a minute. I am guessing it's the brakes, and it's because it's very new (5 actual miles on the odo), but wanted to get your opinion/suggestion. Thanks..
Plastic burn smell after stopping .. normal?
- Thread starter AliArman
- Start date
Well, if there is 5 miles on the odometer, its like you just replaced new pads/new rotors. There are 2 theories on how to maximize rotor life 1) heavy break-in initial braking, and 2) very very very light braking for the first 200 miles or so. I know people will cry foul when they hear me say this, but I have jumped ship off the heavy braking and now believe in very very very light braking.
Obviously in your situation, if it keeps happening in the next week or so, take it back.
Obviously in your situation, if it keeps happening in the next week or so, take it back.
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- 2022 CX-5 Turbo
While I don't recall any plastic-burning smell when mine was new, normal brake break-in calls
for mild braking whenever possible. Sudden and hard braking should be avoided initially.
This is to harden (and smoothen) the surface of rotor (heat annealing), and it will reduce chance of local
accumulation of brake dust (which is usally taken as warped rotors).
for mild braking whenever possible. Sudden and hard braking should be avoided initially.
This is to harden (and smoothen) the surface of rotor (heat annealing), and it will reduce chance of local
accumulation of brake dust (which is usally taken as warped rotors).
Just got new brakes on my Mazdaspeed 3, had a similar burning smell when stopping, especially if it was a prolonged stop e.g. coming off fast off an exit. Goes away in a few days.
As for breaking in, I've tried both ways: going about 55-60 mph, then braking hard, and repeating this about 10 times or so, each time braking harder. Rotors still "warped" after a year or so. Braking lightly initially seems to work better for me, the heavy braking stuff might work better for ultra-performance brakes. Some people say warping is also due to your lug-nuts not being torqued all evenly on a wheel, but I'm always too lazy to check after I get the shop to do a tire rotation when I bring it in for oil changes...
As for breaking in, I've tried both ways: going about 55-60 mph, then braking hard, and repeating this about 10 times or so, each time braking harder. Rotors still "warped" after a year or so. Braking lightly initially seems to work better for me, the heavy braking stuff might work better for ultra-performance brakes. Some people say warping is also due to your lug-nuts not being torqued all evenly on a wheel, but I'm always too lazy to check after I get the shop to do a tire rotation when I bring it in for oil changes...
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- 2019 CX9 GT Pearl
My experience is that water puddles, and generally wet driving conditions, pose issues relative to warped rotors. Heavy braking, overheated rotors and water puddles will in most cases cause uneven cooling, and subsequent 'warping' of the rotors. My experience/opinion...
I have over 32k on my '08 and not a sign of peddle pulsation, or steering wheel wobble. Plenty of pads left as well.
My wifes Altima needed pads and rotors every 20k. Not due to poor quality, but heavy braking, especially in the rain. Try and explain it and.....
I have over 32k on my '08 and not a sign of peddle pulsation, or steering wheel wobble. Plenty of pads left as well.
My wifes Altima needed pads and rotors every 20k. Not due to poor quality, but heavy braking, especially in the rain. Try and explain it and.....
